Yamaha Keyboards...

  • Thread starter Thread starter Atom Bomb
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Atom Bomb

Atom Bomb

Wtf is a PRS
Hey all,

I know nothing about keyboards at all. My other half kinda knows what she wants.... Im just the available financer. I might try to reap the rewards of its midi capabilities... but these are my options... I think i have a good idea what i may go with i just would like second opinions...

AT BEST BUY FOR 199.00
http://www.yamaha.com/yamahavgn/CDA/ContentDetail/ModelSeriesDetail.html?CNTID=556709&CTID=205000

AT LONG AND MCQUADE FOR 259.00
http://www.yamaha.com/yamahavgn/CDA/ContentDetail/ModelSeriesDetail.html?CNTID=5014661

I think for what she wants, and what i may use the 310 is the way to go. Shes loves the velocity sensetive keys which e413 lacks??? IF i understand what the sales jerk said.

And the e314 has a 6track recorder, but if i can connect the 310 to my daw? ? ?? I would be endless eh?

Anyways.. If anyone could give me pros cons and resons why or wny not and one over the other that would be helpful....

Thanks.
 
Atom, I'd go for the 413. And I did. As a guitarist, I've accumulated several low-end keyboards through the years just for adding some backing parts to recordings, and the 413's the best of the lot. Yes, it has touch-sensitive keys, but its real-time control knobs, pitch-bend wheel, and arpeggiator (!) set it apart from anything in that price range. It's really a fine entry-level board. The sounds are pretty good, overall, as long as you keep your expectations in check. I bought my 413 last year, with the optional power supply, for $220 out the door at a local retailer. Shop around for an even better deal.
 
Both those Yamaha's are nice. My guess is that they both have velocity sensitive keyboards - you'd be hard put to find one made in the last decade or so that doesn't.

To me, all keyboards with built-in sounds are kind of hokey.

If you could hook it up to a source of sounds (module or computer) then http://www.m-audio.com/products/en_us/Axiom61.html would be a more "pro" way of doing it.

Being a keyboard player I cringe when I see the single mod/pitch wheel on the Yamahas, but that might not be a factor for many people.

I tried several cheap Yamaha's and was amazed at what you got for so little $ - the sounds are really good. I think that the Beatles would have used one of those Yamahas if they'd had one at the time.
 
thanks for the tips guys.

Its a tuffy... its mainly for her, i probably wouldn't get much use out of it. She just wants to have something to play tunes on but i don't want to insult her and get her a 30 dollar sears jobie.

I'm going to go over the specs again, i don't think that the 413 has the velocity sensitive keys... I'll know tonight.

again thanks for the adivce.
 
Atom Bomb said:
ti don't think that the 413 has the velocity sensitive keys... I'll know tonight.
Click to expand...

LOL. Don't believe me, eh? Ah well, you'll learn the truth when you do your research. In fact, the Yam 400 series takes everything from the 300 series and adds to it... more control, more features, more sounds. The touch sensitivity works fine and has adjustable levels. You'll get a lot more keyboard for just a few extra bucks. A good woman deserves the upgrade.
 
You may want to consider a 76 key keyboard, though. Depends on what the wife is used to.
 
jeffree said:
LOL. Don't believe me, eh? Ah well, you'll learn the truth when you do your research. In fact, the Yam 400 series takes everything from the 300 series and adds to it... more control, more features, more sounds. The touch sensitivity works fine and has adjustable levels. You'll get a lot more keyboard for just a few extra bucks. A good woman deserves the upgrade.
Click to expand...

NO NO. I beleive you i'll take your word for it. Just the sales guy wasn't sure. he wasn't the sharpest lad i have come across. He just kinda skimmed the box for me and said he didnt see a mention of it. I should have written 'i didn't think'. But your right i'll find out soon enough. Sorry bro.

Shes used to an 88 key piano but that's not in the cards right now. I havent got clue how many keys either of those have.

...eff Chrsitmas... :(
 
Atom, you probably would want at least a 61 note keyboard. Believe me, you'd have to look for a long time to find a keyboard without velocity sensitive keys - they all have it nowadays, so much that it might not even be mentioned on the box.

BTW - I live on Oahu now but grew up in............................ Kentville.
 
dintymoore said:
Atom, you probably would want at least a 61 note keyboard. Believe me, you'd have to look for a long time to find a keyboard without velocity sensitive keys - they all have it nowadays, so much that it might not even be mentioned on the box.

BTW - I live on Oahu now but grew up in............................ Kentville.
Click to expand...

Well... thats was quite the move... Kentville to Hawaii? Was the Hostess plant really that foul smelling? HA!... I still have an Aunt that lives there and alot of friends. I'll P.M. you later. lol.

YEs i looked around more last night and pretty muc heverything has the velocity sensetive keys so thats good. So that kinda puts a new perspective on things for me. I'll know tonight. shes working late so i will go and buy up whatever i decide in today...

Rep all around...
 
Both of those Yamahas have 61 keys. I really suggest you haev your wife sit at one and play a few things before buying it. She is most likely going to be wondering what to do with her left hand (until she transposes an octave, then it becomes the right hand seeking notes. That extra octave of keys is well worth extra cost.

BTW, I'm a guitarist who taught himself rudimentary keyboards on a baby grand. I need that bottom octave of notes!
 
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Hey thanks for the rep, Atom. I just have to throw some support behind MJB's words. Even a keyboard klutz like me has realized that I could never do with anything shorter, even for simple backing tracks. Five octaves is barely enough. I'd go larger if I had the studio space (tight corner). Well, good luck to you both. A new keyboard makes for a sweet holiday.
 
Should also be mentioned - the 'feel' of the keyboard. Someone accustomed to playing a typical weighted hammer-action keyboard may not be able to adjust to a non-weighted plastic-y feel. others have no problem switching.
 
Wondering what Atom Bomb did ...

Got my 76 key workstation for Christmas, its great to use low octave fingering again! My little finger was bored!
 
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